PIA Press Release2009/10/12

Unidentified armed men snatch Columban missionary

Pagadian City (October 12) -- Columban Missionary Fr. Michael Sinot, 79 years old, an Irish national was abducted at around 7:45 last night by six (6) unidentified armed men inside the Columban House located at Gatas District, this City.

The group armed with short fire arms forcibly entered the residence and took the priest, boarded a white multi cab with temporary plate number JBL-687 and immediately left towards Purok Darusalam, Sta. Lucia, a coastal barangay near the Pagadian City sea port. Barangay Sta. Lucia is more or less 500 meters away from barangay Gatas where the priest resides.

In a live radio interview over local radio station early today, Pagadian City Police Chief Inspector Michael Palermo said, the group abandoned and torched the get away vehicle before they boarded a pump boat awaiting them which consequently led them out to fled towards the high seas.

As of press time no one claims responsibility of the kidnapping incident and no demand for any ransom money received, Palermo said.

Police and military authorities are now conducting investigations and hot pursuit operations to establish the whereabouts of the priest under the hands of the perpetrators.

Fr. Sinot is the Founder and Program Director of Hangop Kabataan Foundation Inc., in Pagadian City, that caters to the needs of special children like those with disabilities, differently abled and mentally challenged.

It was learned that Fr. Sinot arrived in the Philippines in the early 70ís when he was still 24 years. He served in the Catholic Church as Parish Priest in different areas the country before he set foot in Pagadian City, serving half of his ministry here. (PIA9-Pagadian) [top]